Antoine Semenyo already gave Alexander Isak transfer solution as $87M star 'wants' Liverpool

Speculation is growing over a potential move to Liverpool for Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window, and the Bournemouth star has already suggested he could fill in for Alexander Isak

Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a January move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

All eyes will be on Antoine Semenyo when the January transfer window opens - and there’s every chance that Liverpool could be in the running for his signature.

Speculation is growing over the Bournemouth winger’s future, and it seems to be a good bet that he will be on the move in 2026. He is understood to have an $87 million (£65M) release clause which will be active in the New Year, although not for long, meaning any clubs interested will have to move quickly in order to make a significant saving.

Liverpool has been linked as one of the sides in the race for Semenyo, along with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. Regularly touted as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, the Reds may actually have another immediate use for him.

Arne Slot’s options in attack are running low. Already without the injured Cody Gakpo and Salah while he’s away at the Africa Cup of Nations, things got even worse at the weekend when Alexander Isak was forced off at Tottenham.

The prognosis doesn’t look promising for the Premier League’s most expensive signing, with a suspected broken leg likely meaning he’ll be missing for months.

That would leave Hugo Ekitike as the only recognized No.9 for what could be the remainder of the season. But perhaps Semenyo could help in that regard.

Alexander Isak's injury leaves Liverpool short of options in attack(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Although the Ghana international has been used primarily as a winger, he has, on occasions, been utilized as a striker. What’s more, it’s a role that he desperately wants to become his regular position.

Appearing in a video for AwayDays on YouTube, Semenyo sent a message to current manager, saying: "I'm destined to be a No. 9. Andoni [Iraola], gaffer, play me as a nine - that's all I'm gonna say."

It’s unlikely that Semenyo would feature too often as the out-and-out frontman in Liverpool’s attack if he did make the move to Anfield, but having his versatility would certainly be of use, and might well help to ease the load on Ekitike in Isak’s absence.

And the signs are promising when it comes to the 25-year-old joining the Reds. According to The Guardian, Semenyo favors a move to Liverpool over the likes of City and United, and personal terms are even said to have been agreed already.

Slot though has played down the chances of the Reds dipping into the January market, telling reporters last week: "This is our way of working at Liverpool. The outside world wants to believe we have unlimited money but that is not true.

"You insiders know – and you are the only ones because the outside world only talks about our spending – what we have brought in (money) to spend.

"That is the way we work over here. You then have to accept that in certain games during a season you are short of a right full back.

"But we are still able to win. I fully believe in that way of working, by the way."